JOHN McGINN admits he dreams of captaining Scotland one day – even if it is only for 10 minutes.
New manager Alex McLeish is weighing up who will take on the role after Scott Brown quit international football earlier this month, with the likes of Liverpool full-back Andrew Robertson and Celtic defender Kieran Tierney tipped.
The battle for the armband comes too soon for McGinn, who has won five caps but is yet to truly cement himself as a first pick in the heart of midfield. Nevertheless, it is a role he has aspirations to fill in the fulness of time.
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The Hibs talisman captained Scotland at Under-19 and Under-21 level and insists the pride is overwhelming.
Asked whether he sees himself as a Scotland skipper of the future, McGinn said: “I hope so, it’s something you dream about when you are in the back garden, imagining it. That’s only normal.
“That’s an honour you aim for and sometimes it happens, sometimes players will come and go and it won’t happen, but you always hope. If one day I managed to get it [captaincy], even if it’s just because the captain has been subbed, I’d be happy! The main thing is to be involved for your country, which is amazing in itself.
“I remember captaining the under-21s for the first time away to Hungary and I was a bit nervous, getting plenty of stick from the boys, but eventually I managed to deal with it all right.
“You just need to treat everyone normally, you can’t get too carried away with things. It’s a massive honour to lead out your country at any age group and you just need to be there for the players if there are any issues.”
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As well as the uncertainty regarding the captaincy, there are seven fresh faces within a new-look squad assembled by McLeish, with the likes of Oli McBurnie, Jamie Murphy, Scott McTominay, Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry all ready to stake their claim.
He continued: “There’s been a real freshness, which any manager will say is needed in a new campaign, and players like myself who have had a wee taste and want more. There are new faces and plenty of good players who just missed out, so I think that shows that the future is strong.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Fraser has revealed he was ‘a nervous wreck’ when he made his international debut against England.
The-24-year-old has starred against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal in the colours of Bournemouth, but concedes that nothing comes close to the feeling of waiting to enter the fray against the Auld Enemy at Hampden.
Nevertheless, he overcame the butterflies to make a vital impact, winning the free-kick from which Leigh Griffiths gave Scotland a 2-1 lead - before Harry Kane ultimately broke Tartan Army hearts with a last-gasp leveller.
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Fraser recalled: “I was a nervous wreck. I don’t normally get nervous down with my club, Bournemouth, but I get goosebumps thinking back to that game. Everything leading up to it was massive and the occasion was huge.
“To play a part, go on and win the free-kick, and see the two goals scored was brilliant despite the disappointment at the end. It’s a young lad’s dream to go and experience games like that.”
“With any games you go into with Scotland, there are no guaranteed starters. You need to go on the pitch and stake a claim to the new gaffer. Personally, I’ve been in a lot of squads but haven’t played as much as I would have liked, so in these two games coming up I want to start or play some part.”
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